Staff Sergeant Pedro Cruz Jr., who is deployed in Kuwait could not get back for his son Pedro Cruz III's graduation from NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering on Friday, so instead, the father surprised him with a heartfelt video at a ceremony in Brooklyn on Friday (YouTube screenshot)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., -- It was a wonderful surprise from a father serving in the military overseas to his Staten Island-based son for the young man's college graduation day.

Staff Sergeant Pedro Cruz Jr., who is deployed in Kuwait could not get back for his son Pedro Cruz III's graduation from NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering on Friday, so instead, the father surprised him with a heartfelt video at a ceremony in Brooklyn on Friday, the New York Post reported.

Wearing a camouflage uniform and a proud look, the elder Cruz told his son that he may be 6,317 miles away -- but he's right there with him "in heart and spirit."

"He said he's proud of me and that he loves me. It's wonderful. I didn't expect this at all," Cruz, a civil and urban engineering major, who hasn't seen his dad in person for seven months, told the Post.

"He's all the way overseas," he added. "He wanted to be here but we had to make the best of the situation."

In the video, Cruz stands in front of a military helicopter at Camp Buehring in Kuwait and says: "Hey son, surprise. Right about now you should be on stage picking up your degree. I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on this special day. I really wish I was there with you but unfortunately I'm not."

He adds, "I have seen you grow so much in the last four years. It really amazes me. I am so proud."

Cruz also offered his son some key words to live by: "I want you to take this special day and enjoy yourself. Don't think about tomorrow. Enjoy today, take it one day at a time... I love you. I salute you, my son."

Pedro was all smiles after seeing the video message, according to the Post. NYU staffers pulled Cruz aside right after he received his diploma at Barclays Center and showed him the video on an iPad.

The proud papa also arranged to have an American flag flown to honor his son at his base camp in Kuwait and gave a plaque to his son that proclaims: "We will not waiver; we will not tire and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail."

It's unclear when the military man will return home but the two talk frequently, Cruz told the Post. "I love him and I salute him and I love him, too," the grad said.

The younger Cruz plans to pursue a career in the construction industry, saying it's his version of "the American dream," according to the Post.